Tased man files $2M lawsuit against Orlando police

A man filed suit against the city of Orlando this week, claiming an officer used excessive force when he tased him at Universal Studios in December, causing him to fall and break his jaw.

Jerome Lamar Pitts is seeking $2 million in damages.

The incident occurred about 12:30 a.m. Dec. 3, when a Universal employee contacted Orlando Police Officer Yong Hall, who was working off-duty, to help remove Pitts from the property because he was "uncooperative," an arrest report said.

Hall repeatedly told Pitts to leave the property, but he refused. Pitts, 40, put his hands in his pocket and refused to put them behind his back, the report said.

When Hall told Pitts he was under arrest, Pitts replied, "No, I'm not," and then started to walk away.

The officer sprayed a chemical into Pitts' face, but that didn't stop him, so Hall tased Pitts in the back, the arrest report said.

Pitts fell forward, striking his face on the cement. He was treated at an Orlando hospital.

In his lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Orlando federal court, Pitts claims that he fell forward, broke his jaw, and suffered dental issues and other physical and mental damage.

Pitts was arrested on charges of resisting an officer without violence and trespassing. Court records show he pleaded no contest in February to the trespassing charge and adjudication was withheld.

Pitts claims that Halls' actions consisted of excessive force, which violated his constitutional rights, and that he was false imprisoned.

He also claims the police department inadequately supervises and trains its officers.

Orlando Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Vincent L. Ogburn said Wednesday that his agency does not comment on pending litigation.